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* Politico…
Republican Governors Association communications director Mike Schrimpf is leaving Washington to work for a likely candidate for Illinois governor.
The hire is a boost for Chicago private equity executive Bruce Rauner, who created an exploratory committee last month. […]
Republicans now control 30 governorships and the RGA views Illinois as probably its best pick-up opportunity next year. […]
“Bruce is an incredibly impressive and successful businessman, who cuts a great profile – a results-oriented reformer – for a potential gubernatorial candidate in Illinois,” Schrimpf told POLITICO in an email. “Illinois is in desperate need of reform and I believe it will take someone from outside Springfield to get the job done.”
It could be a “boost,” but, then again, Rauner has nobody on his staff who truly understands Illinois politics. This ain’t some parachute-in state.
* Bio…
Schrimpf has served at RGA since 2008. He previously served as Communications Director for the Center for Competitive Politics. He got his start working in Hamilton County government in Cincinnati, OH.
Schrimpf is a 2005 graduate of Tufts University.
Any advice for Mr. Schrimpf?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 9:59 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Milk the Rauner campaign for everything you can get out of it during the primary season, because your job will end the day after he loses the primary.
* snark - or maybe not *
Comment by cover Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:01 am
Quit while your ahead
Comment by Angry Republican Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:02 am
Take a short term lease. 1 year should do it.
That, and like Rich said, get your boss to hire local.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:03 am
Leave the Beltway talking points at the RGA, they won’t help you here. Live in Chicago, preferably on the north side and go to a lot of Cubs games. There are plenty of Republicans in Chicago to get your man elected, but your man won’t get nominated unless you can get a lot of Chicago Republicans to vote in your primary.
Spend most of your free time perusing Capitol Fax (and buy a subscription).
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:03 am
Have your CV and resume updated and ready to shop around post March 18
Comment by Pierce & Pierce Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:06 am
Cash.
Upfront.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:11 am
I couldn’t get past “RGA views Illinois as probably its best pick-up opportunity next year” . . . .
Comment by Out Here In The Middle Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:12 am
Well some of this is going to show a bias but here goes.
Reach out to the moderate Republicans who blog and are active on social media. The conservative side of the party does a good job of that, the rest of it not so much. You will want to build that structure out a bit, reach out to some folks (Owsego Willy and that guy who runs OneMan’s thoughts come to mind).
Start doing some local hiring, if you can afford it and it appears you can start getting area and even county guys. But you need to have people for want of a better way of putting it people here know.
Work on the messaging a bit (no more choked chickens as it were). But so far your guy has done a decent job getting his name out via earned media, keep that up obviously.
Have a chat with Rich.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:12 am
Don’t drown in your bottle.
Comment by Baines 4 Prez Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:12 am
Get it in writing….whatever “it” may be.
Comment by Knome Sane Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:16 am
Short term lease that you can get out of quickly. May not even be here a year.
Comment by Former Downstater Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:17 am
Is Alan Keyes still renting on the South Side? You might be able to sublet cheap.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:22 am
Milk that cash cow.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:24 am
The seat belt sign will be on for the duration of the flight. Please make sure you remain in your seat with your seat belt buckled.
Comment by Easy Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:34 am
worth noting quinns campaign advisor was beaten up pretty badly when he was announced as a kid coming from wisconsin. If memory serves Quinn won both his races in 2010.
Comment by shore Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:39 am
Advertising on Capitalfax.com always gives you the best value for your campaign dollar!
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:43 am
Dear Mr. Schrimpf,
First, congratulations, and welcome to Illinois.
Things you should know/consider to be the best Spokesman for Bruce Rauner;
Consider talking to Rich Miller about the lay of the land, how your new Boss is seen, and what mistakes has Rich seen in message.
Know…right now …Illinois is not like any state, especially Wisconsin or Indiana. Just the pure demographics of the three clearly show there are a scant few similiarities, and pushing the agenda that Illinois has those similiarities will make you all look foolish.
Know that the political dynamic of the Illinois General Assembly and the Party Politics here as dictated by the Veto-Proofed IL House and IL Senate. There are politcal realities that must be considered, and thinking that those General Assembly realities can’t factor into how one is to run for Governor of Illinois is a mistake, and thinking that Illinois’ Political realities in those General Assembly factors are meaningless is a BIGGER mistake.
Know there is not Lincoln County! (Gotta had humor…)
Know that your message downstate and upstate better jive, and know what you say to conservatives, and what you say to moderates, will be compared. Illinois ain’t “Podunk”. This is the 5th largest state and the 3rd largest Media Market in the Chicagoland area. Rauner says one thing in Naperville and one thing in Carbondale, guess what, in “every”dale, people will know the two statements. Rauner is not grasping that YET, but you are going to have to have him KNOW that as a true candidate.
Know that Bruce Rauner LOVES the word “We” when he is expressing himself. Yikes, you can’t tell the people you are wealthy, but “One of Them” and use “We” when referring to yourslef. Horrible Habit, know you need to fix it.
Know that the “Novelty” of Bruce is going to/is wearing thin. Listening is great, speaking is good, dodging everything “hot” while speaking in the rhetorical, platitude, manner for much longer, is bad. Money says alot about who Rauner is, but where he stands will say much more after the novelty fades.
Consider having Bruce ENJOY Illinois. At times, Rauner looks taxed, like “checking boxes” of where Rauner has been, where he is going, and Rauner is “All over the state..” Jim Thompson always gave the impression he loved where he was, when he was there, and the people there were as important as anythng to Thompson. Rauner needs to work at “enjoying” being and running in Illinois. It will help how Rauner is seen, and might give Rauner a better chance to connect with voters.
Know that Rauner is going to be hit with RINO, Faux Conservative, Rahm’s Buddy, etc. The baggage Rauner brings will be seen in a brighter light the closer you get to Election Day. Every candidate has baggage, but know that Rauner’s past, in a Republican primary in Illinois, is not something you can wish away.
Know that Rauner’s fiscal plan has issues that people are pickig up on, specifically the Constitutionality of some of Rauner’s proposals. Make sure you and Rauner can explain completely and thoughtfully when others (I have) questioned the legality of his plan of action, and how Rauner and you, as Spokesman, see those plans following Constitutional muster.
Finally, make sure you can help in the communications aspect of building a Field Organization. Television is not going to get Rauner the ultimate goal of being Governor, especially with the platfom Rauner plans to run on, and who Rauner might face, not candidate-wise, but Unions, and state/city workers who walk precincts and do the Ground work necessary to win. Look at Bill Brady 2010 as how NOT to run without a Field Organization, and how Pat Quinn’s allies, on the ground, beat Brady.
Other than that, I have tried, in an honest way, to give advice, no snark (except the Lincoln County, but you have to give me ONE!). Make your Staff local, they know more about Illinois than you, don’t find that out too late. There is a ton of local talent, use them, and listen to them.
Congratulations, and “Good Luck”
Oswego Willy
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:44 am
As a one-party Democratic state, Illinois is badly in need of youth and balance in its political competitions. Hopefully, Mr. Schrimpf will bring some of both. At least maybe we’ll have the illusion of some kind of balance. That may be the best we can hope for.
Try to tamp down the right-leaning extremists in the party. And remember $$$$$ counts at the end when you are buying those ads. You’ll need a lot of it.
Comment by cassandra Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:54 am
Based on the brillant job RGA did for Brady we can only assume the same blunders will be bought by CousinBrucey. Should be great news for the other GOPies and any D!
THese GOpie wing nuts really know how to staff a campaign
Fire,Aim,Ready!
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:55 am
get the cash upfront.
Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:57 am
Even if Rauner can make it though the primary, he is unelectable in this state, so don’t plan on any long-term state employment.
Rauner appears to have participated in “pay-to-play” using convicted felon Rod Blagojevich’s convicted felon fixer Stu Levine (who was on Rauner’s payroll before he was tossed in prison). These are not two guys to have associated with your candidate. Good luck spinning these connections.
Rauner’s company appears to have made millions of dollars off public pensions using insider dealings. There’s some apparent pay-to-play with the CTU pensions and PA Gov. Rendell. Have fun trying to talk about pension reform when your candidate made big bucks off pensions. Heck, some of the money is probably paying your fees! And pay-to-play is a macro most people have in their word processors, program now since you will be using the phrase early and often.
Rauner is a Rahm Emanuel Democrat, and sits on Rahm’s kitchen cabinet. Good in a general election, but you won’t get there.
None of the above will play well with state-wide Republicans who will shortly find out about this stuff.
Rauner is UNELECTABLE no matter whom he hires, and no matter how much money he spends distorting the political process.
Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:05 am
—-get your boss to hire local——
Why would he want to do that? Who exactly would you hire? The Republican Operatives in this state have proven that he should be looking elsewhere.
Comment by Why? Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:06 am
My advice:
Step 1) Read that old profile of Bradley Tusk where he comments on how Illinois is way different than he thought it was as an out-of-stater.
http://thesouthern.com/news/governor-s-right-hand-man-enjoys-pressures-of-the-job/article_98d15e6c-5176-5815-9e21-13ce67674e0e.html
(i.e. “I just didn’t realize how diverse this state was. Southern Illinois is almost like the South. Central Illinois is more like Middle America. Chicago is like most big cities and its suburbs are sort of typical of most American suburbs,” he said. “It’s almost like four different worlds in one place.”)
Step 2) Don’t sound as clueless or condescending as Bradley Tusk when talking to the media about Illinois.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:06 am
- OneMan -
Appreciate the “props”.
You are not just - OneMan -, you’re a Good Man.
308!
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:07 am
- Rauner is UNELECTABLE no matter whom he hires, and no matter how much money he spends distorting the political process. -
Sounding a little nervous, Cinci. What makes you think Dillard is more electable, given that he seems to be to the right of Rauner?
Comment by Small Town Liberal Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:13 am
Gee, Cincy, where have I seen those points before? Oh, yes, the exact same ones you made yesterday — in order, nearly word for word.
Buy an ad for Dillard, dude.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:17 am
- Cincinnatus -,
With respect, Bud.
C’mon …
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:19 am
===Buy an ad for Dillard, dude.===
No kidding. Dillard reported a whopping $500 in cash on hand. He’s going to need somebody to buy his ads for him.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:19 am
===The Republican Operatives in this state have proven that he should be looking elsewhere. ===
Touche.
However, out of state GOP consultants have not done well here, and even worse.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:33 am
Anyone care to take on the content of what I said? Crickets?
Of course I reused what I typed yesterday, it’s as applicable now as it was then… At least give me points for consistency!
;-{)>
Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:33 am
===Anyone care to take on the content of what I said?===
- Cincinnatus -,
You are trying to “help” Dillard, I get that.
Do you really want to go “down that road” you are asking about with the taunt of…”crickets?”
Let things lay …it’s advice, not support, or not supporting Dillard. K?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:37 am
Cincy, you make no case that he is UNELECTABLE, as you cap it. You just carry Dillard’s water.
You could make a stronger argument that Dillard is unelectable, in that, he couldn’t beat the guy who couldn’t beat Quinn in a big GOP year and Blago fresh in the mind.
I don’t think that’s the case, but it has some basis in reality.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:41 am
47th,
As several people, and I (not to be accused of repeating myself) have pointed out, Dillard has two campaign accounts. He has also retired approximately $1M dollars of campaign debt from the 2010 gubernatorial primary and contributed tens of thousands of dollars to other candidates in their election efforts…
Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:45 am
Thanks Cinci. And he has $500 left over. Got it.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:49 am
Get your entire salary up front.
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:21 pm
Welcome to Illinois.
If your aim to elect an R statewide, do not displease the women in the Cook County suburbs.
Comment by ZC Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:30 pm
1. Don’t get sucked in by the charlatans of our party, people like Dan Proft and Adam A.
2. Deal with the Trib, but don’t obsess over the Trib.
3. Accept the fact that no one else on your campaign has accepted to date, your guy ain’t ready for retail.
Comment by Pick2 Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:39 pm
= “Illinois is in desperate need of reform and I believe it will take someone from outside Springfield to get the job done.” =
Umm nearly every person responsible for the mess in Springfield is from Chicago. I don’t give Rutherford or Sheila Simon much credit or blame, however you want to characterize it. Interesting wording here…”People like Raymond Poe, Rich Brauer, Larry Bomke, and the guy who sells Cozy Dogs and other Springfieldians are responsible for this mess”. LOL.
My advice: Have fun trying to get conservative men to come out to vote if you are wishy washy on social issues.
Comment by So. ILL Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:43 pm
——-However, out of state GOP consultants have not done well here, and even worse. ——
Also true, but the bench is deeper????
Comment by Why? Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 1:03 pm
===If your aim to elect an R statewide, do not displease the women in the Cook County suburbs.===
Good advice, well done and said.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 1:17 pm
“Illinois is in desperate need of reform and I believe it will take someone from outside Springfield to get the job done.”
Be careful with this statement; for reasons pointed out by So. ILL and also because the opposition already has enough material to paint Rauner as an ultimate insider.
Study the campaign strategies of Thompson, Edgar and Ryan.
Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 1:33 pm
More advice…
I would assume someone has explained that by coming out as pro-choice Bruce has no chance of getting the endorsement of many on the right entities in this state that make a lot of noise.
A) Accept that and move on, regardless of how fiscally conservative he is, pro-choice is a showstopper for these folks in the primary.
B) Accept that if his poll numbers look good he is going to be a huge grass roots target for these folks because they want to nominate a true believer and the very real risk that if he goes all the way he proves the ’social conservatives can’t win the big one’ theory in Illinois.
Listen to OW on everything but there are a few to keep close to mind.
The happy thing, worked for a candidate (also a self funder) who could be a happy guy or an intense came across as a bit angry. The happy version was always received better. I was only a kid and young adult when Thompson was governor, but OW is right, whenever you might see Jim at something he seemed truly to be happy to be there. Dude was the master of personal connection, have your guy learn from that.
Also the state is filled (I like to think it is more than just me and perhaps OW) of fiscal conservatives (now speaking for OW that’s a risk) who think the social conservative stuff doesn’t do the party any favors and are not showstopper issues.
Develop an organization for these folks.
Finally get off the damn fence about same sex marriage.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 1:54 pm
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:49 am:
Thanks Cinci. And he has $500 left over. Got it.
=========================
Dillard raised over $1M during the last Senate cycle, whittled off about $1M in debt from 2010 race, and gave other Senators about $100k… not shabby. The $500 figure is an old, defunct campaign fund.
Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 1:54 pm
Talk to Kirk’s people and JBT’s. They’re some of the brightest/toughest political ops around and they know how to get a moderate repubilcan elected state-wide.
Comment by 10th Indy Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 2:06 pm
Subscribe to Capitolfax and read it daily.
Comment by Killarney Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 2:07 pm
Try to figure out where he really lives: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130417/BLOGS02/130419812
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 2:09 pm
- OneMan -
Here is exactly how I like to say it for me.
“The person who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is a friend and an ally — not a 20 percent traitor.”
The second it becomes “one or the other”, “all or nothing”, “half or 3/4″, the Litmus Testers and Blood Oathers take My Party. We are a Political Party, not zealots who must all be EXACTLY the same.
Fair?
We’re good, - OneMan -
Appreciate the kind words and references.
Thanks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 2:13 pm
C’mon Cinci. You can’t spin this when the info is available for all of us to see. An “old, defunct” campaign fund (Dillard for Governor) that was writing checks a month ago is neither old nor defunct, according to the State Board of Elections. And despite paying a million off his debt, he still has a $225,000 debt in that account. Hardly defunct.
His other committee is Citizens for Kirk Dillard (for Senate). It’s cash on hand is $34,000, and includes $25,000 in debt.
Your guy had a real bad quarter Cinci. And it doesn’t make him look like a viable candidate given the amounts reported by the other potential candidates.
$35,000? And you’re saying Rauner is unelectable?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 2:30 pm
If Dillard has DuPage by itself and is the “suburban” candidate he is unbeatable. Kirk also has STRONG downstate roots and last time there were FIVE candidates from DuPage and he still came within 193 votes.
Comment by more to come Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 2:48 pm
Hmmm…since Oswego Willie gave such cogent advice, I’m left with giving the alternative.
First, don’t have Bruce run for Governor, have him run for Lt. Governor so you can help him figure out how to run for any office, win, then administer the office in a government setting.
Second, tell Bruce to pull off his cliche’d superman ‘jammies and put on some big boy pants cause running the State of Illinois is NOT like running a business…here, your employee’s are tax paying voting citizens and YOU work for THEM.
Comment by Captain Illini Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 2:55 pm
===last time there were FIVE candidates from DuPage and he still came within 193 votes.===
Ok, … here we go.
That is bigger indictment on Dillard than a positive! There was no field operation, and by less than 2 votes a precinct in DuPage Dillard lost to Brady, who had “pluses” and a “field organization” that took them out.
Dillard lost. Get over it. It was 2 1/2 years ago. I am tired of the “193 votes” stuff, because if Dillard would have ran a “complete” campaign …blah, blah, blah … Dillard lost. We even had an election since.
Enough about the “193 votes”. Geez.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 3:00 pm
Choose your CapitalFax alias wisely!
Then run it out and see if it flies!!!!
Comment by WhoKnew Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 3:01 pm
For once Cinci and I agree: Rauner is unelectable. Not so sure how electable Dillard is unless Quinn is the Dem candidate, which I firmly believe is not going to be the case.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 3:23 pm